TURKEY tr-national
Route for Istanbul's third bridge decided, says mayor
HDN | 4/26/2010 12:00:00 AM | ISTANBUL — Hürriyet Daily News
Istanbul’s transportation ministry and metropolitan municipality have decided on a route of Istanbul’s third bridge, according to Istanbul’s mayor, who spoke at the launch of a new ferry line between Üskudar and Haliç. The bridge's route is expected to be announced next week
The route for Istanbul’s prospective third bridge has been decided, and the transport minister will announce its details in the next couple of days, Istanbul Mayor Kadır Topbaş said Monday at the opening ceremony of the new Üskudar-Haliç ferry line.
Topbaş said construction of Istanbul’s third bridge has been debated for a long time because potential routes have been suggested as interfering with forestry in the area.
“After a long period of planning and discussion, the route has been drawn and will be announced at a joint press conference with the transportation minister,” Topbaş said speaking in Üskudar on Monday.
[HH] New Hasköy ferry line
Istanbul’s mayor launched a new ferry line on Monday from Üsküdar, on the Anatolian side of Istanbul, to the historic Haliç region on the European side.
At the ceremony, Topbaş said the 600-capacity boat is a part of the Istanbul Sea Buses and Fast Ferries Inc., or IDO’s, “intercity ferry project,” which aims to increase the number of intercity ferry lines with new vessels and more efficient services.
The new Hasköy ferry line cost 9.4 million euros has been designed specifically to pass under the Haliç Bridge comfortably. “The ferry accommodates disabled people and ensures that they have easy access to and from the vessel. Moreover, there are special rooms for children, babies and animals onboard,” Topbaş said.
Istanbul has developed into a global city, and it is being watched by the world each day, according to Topbaş.
“Whether members of the public use this line or not, it is important for them to know what developments are taking place in their city, so they can be proud and enjoy the environment in which they live,” Topbaş said.
Topbaş said transportation is one of the city’s greatest problems and that the metropolitan municipality’s largest investments include solving these problems.
“As we have increased the number of our services and the quality of our vessels, the use of sea transportation has risen from 2 percent to 5 percent. Traveling across the sea is an extremely quick and easy method of transportation, which we hope will be utilized more,” Topbaş said.
Following the mayor’s speech, a local elderly woman from the Usküdar district jumped onto the stage, taking the microphone and expressing how happy she has been with developments in the area. “I want to thank the AKP [Justice and Development Party]. If it wasn’t for them, this pier would still not be in use and would be covered in dirt and rubbish,” she said.